October 31, 2024 Devo

October 31st, 2024

“It’s All About Jesus!”
Questions Jesus Asked
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)
“Keeping an Eye on Ourselves”

Let’s look at the second question Jesus asked in our passage today. “Why do you…pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Jesus points out that focusing on the sins and flaws in other people’s lives distracts us from becoming aware of and dealing with the very obvious flaws in our own lives. As I sat with this verse today, I was reminded of a verse from Psalms that has become a regular part of my prayer time. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” – Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)
The desire of the Psalmist should be our desire as well. As he prays to the God who knows him so well and sees him inside and out, he asks the Lord to help him see himself that way. He doesn’t try to hide his sin; he wants it exposed. He doesn’t want to cover up his flaws; he wants to know what they are and how to overcome them. Instead of beginning with the assumption that, “All is well,” he starts with the knowledge that he is a fallen creature in need of God whose grace not only saves him, it SUSTAINS him!
Wow. Think how different our world would be if we all spent our reflection time asking God to show us OUR “planks” rather than trying to find other people’s “specks.” It’s only by exposing our weaknesses that we turn them into strengths. It’s only by addressing our flaws that we grow and mature. It’s only by getting ruthlessly honest about our temptations and sins that we gain the power from God’s Holy Spirit to live victorious lives. We can make ourselves FEEL better by focusing on the flaws of others, but we can only BECOME better by focusing on our own.
“Father, help us to see ourselves the way you see us. Help us to not turn away from the parts of our lives that need to be faced, confessed, and dealt with. You remember that we are just dust. Help us to remember that as well and deal with the “dusty” place in our lives. Let us not consume ourselves focusing on the lives of those around us. But help us, O Lord, to surrender to the scrutiny of your Holy Spirit and keep an eye on ourselves. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.” That’s God’s Word for you today.